What are the most important SEO steps to take when launching a new website?

A simple launch checklist:

1. Pick one main topic per page and research the keywords people really use (try our Long-Tail Keyword Generator).
2. Use clean, short URLs and a clear menu so every important page is 1–3 clicks from the homepage.
3. Write unique titles and meta descriptions for every page.
4. Make sure the site is not set to discourage search engines and no page has an accidental noindex.
5. Create an XML sitemap, add the site to Google Search Console and submit it.
6. Check mobile layout and page speed.
7. Publish a few genuinely helpful pages first, then earn your first links from real, relevant sites.